MEANING OF CONDITIONALITIES OF THE FAMILY GRANT PROGRAM FOR BENEFICIARIES ACCOMPANIED IN THE FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY IN CAMPINA GRANDE – PB

Abstract

The Family Grant Program (FGP) holds conditional cash transfer to guarantee human rights to adequate food and reduce social inequalities. Objective: In this respect, the aim of this study was to analyze the meaning of conditionalities of the FGP for its beneficiaries. Material and methods: a descriptive study using qualitative approach was conducted with 24 women accompanied by legal representatives of the FGP in a Family Health Unity, in Campina Grande, PB, from June to July 2009. The study subjects were selected intentionally and delimited by the saturation method, and guided interviews were used for data collection. Content analysis proposed by BARDIN (2009) was utilized for data analysis. Results: the categories identified were: regularity in receiving the benefit, access to consumer goods, impact of conditionalities and benefit x health. Conclusion: The FGP is an important initiative of the National Policy for Social Assistance and the regularity in receiving benefit has contributed to the beneficiary families so that they can plan their spending in favor of improved family satisfaction, favoring the purchase of consumer goods, encouraging attendance at health service and education as well as access to specialized health services and medicines that are unavailable in the public healthcare system. DESCRIPTORS Poverty. Family Health. Income.